Rappelling down one of the tallest buildings in downtown Shreveport wasn’t a typical Friday for Pam Moore or Demetria Gilliam.

Neither of the women, both employees at Capital One Bank, were usually keen to participate in such heart-racing stunts.

But both agreed that joining Over the Edge, a fundraiser for the Fuller Center for Housing of NWLA, was worth the nerves that accompanied overlooking downtown from the top of the Beck Building on Travis Street before rappelling down the side.

“With everything bad going on in the world, I felt like this was a good opportunity to do something good and give back the community,” Moore said.

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Participants of Over the Edge NWLA: Take a Leap for Housing raised money for the Fuller Center and rappelled down the Beck Building in downtown Shreveport on Friday and Saturday.
(Sarah Crawford/The Times)

Participants of Over the Edge NWLA: Take a Leap for Housing raised money for the Fuller Center, a non-profit organization that helps build and repair homes for those who cannot secure adequate housing for themselves.

Employees of sponsor companies and individuals who personally raised funds rappelled down the Beck Building on Friday and Saturday.

"It's a thrill rush for sure, and it's something you don't get to do every day," Gilliam said.

Fuller Center Executive Director Lee Jeter said the organization’s goal was to raise $120,000, which would help facilitate the construction of two new homes.

“We’re already over the $90,000 mark, so we believe that the community support has been outstanding,” Jeter said Friday. “We believe very strongly we’re going to reach that goal of $120,000, which is going to help us build at least two homes. That’s what it’s about: helping individuals, building homes, building lives and changing communities.”

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The Beck Building looms over Travis Street in downtown Shreveport.(Photo: Sarah Crawford/The Times)

This was the first time the nonprofit hosted Over the Edge, which Jeter noted may have required a little extra courage from some participants.

“You’re asking people to get outside of their comfort zone in order to raise money for our organization,” he said. “The fact that we have 54 ‘Edgers’ who signed up to extend themselves and take a leap of faith, so to speak, to really raise money for our organization, that kind of support is outstanding.”

Moore, a financial adviser associate, was one such person.

“I’m really terrified of heights,” she said. “Fuller Center is an amazing foundation, and I think just raising money for housing, that’s going to be so fulfilling and give stability to people’s lives. I think it’s for a great cause.”

Gilliam, a relationship banker, said the experience provided a challenge that was both personally rewarding to her, as well as gave her an amazing volunteer opportunity.

“Maybe the closest thing I’ve ever done to this is ride a roller coaster,” she said. “I definitely just wanted to push myself to do something different, and the cause is great, too.”